Vampires do exist. Not just in
the way you’d imagine them to be based on the movies or books.
They exist in the forms of ticks.
These ticks are little pesky blood sucking
insects that can cause irritation and lots of diseases to humans
and dogs. Because of this, they can be more horrifying than
fictional vampires. Because we know ticks are real and the diseases
they cause are real also. Here is a list of common tick disease
that may affect either you or your dog.
Lyme disease:
This disease is called Lyme disease because it was first identified
in Lyme Connecticut in 1975. In that small area people suffered
from arthritis that resembled rheumatoid disease. The dogs in
that are also became afflicted with a common problem. They have
been common to both human and dogs but there have been no signs
that it can be transmitted to the other.
Different ticks transmit this disease in different
locations. The deer tick, the black legged tick and the western
black legged tick transmits this disease at northeast and Midwest,
the south and the west respectively.
Dogs that have been bitten by these ticks will
experience lethargy, lameness, fever, and loss of appetite.
If you live in an area where Lyme disease is abundant, have
your dog vaccinated or consult with a veterinarian.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:
This tick disease is more common in New England and the West.
The dogs that are more susceptible to the disease are those
that live in wooded or mountainous areas. A dog that has experienced
Rocky Mountain spotted fever will experience fever, hemorrhages,
skin rashes, joint disease or depression.
When the disease is in the early stages immediately
give antibiotics to make it effective. The health will then
improve 12-24 hours later. The animal will then be immune after
for about 12 months. However do not re-expose the animal because
it will only get infected again.
Tick Paralysis:
Dogs can become weak or even develop paralysis from ticks seven
to nine days after the tick attachment. The ticks that are mostly
capable of doing so are the female ticks because they release
toxins that can cause paralysis. Your dog will then experience
mild unbalances on all fours or become completely immobile.
Removing the ticks:
Ticks are hard to find. Here are some tips where they could
easily be located: feet, ears, head or neck. The dog will have
more chances of disease the longer the tick is attached to him
or her.
Remove the tick with tweezers and wear gloves
to protect yourself too. Apply antiseptics on the pet’s bitten
area to help prevent inflammation.
Remember to dispose the tick properly. Don’t
just throw them; remember to flush them after wrapping them
inside a toilet paper. You can also kill it with rubbing alcohol.
Remember not to squash burn or suffocate the tick because this
will only spread the bacteria.
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